Caribbean
Haiti – Malteser International Americas warns of escalating violence, paralysis, and rising malnutrition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2022
Haiti – Malteser International Americas warns of escalating violence, paralysis, and rising malnutrition
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
“This scale of violence is dismantling the pillars of our (Haitian) society, including schools, hospitals, and public institutions. Whenever you step foot outside, you are not sure whether you will be coming back home” this is how Malteser International Americas’ Country Coordinator in Haiti, Yolette Etienne, describes the situation on the ground. Since gang violence erupted in July 2022 the situation only seems to be escalating, and the emotional toll that people are paying is unfathomable. Anything can happen when crossing Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital ravaged by violence. Haiti had been without military forces for twenty years, when its government relaunched a campaign to re-establish it in 2017.
Kidnappings have become a daily occurrence, often ending in impunity. Thousands are forced to flee the country, doing everything they can to escape the brutalities. The uptick in violence has forced hundreds to be displaced, leaving many without access to food and water, increasing the risk of dying from malnutrition. The population has been caught in a vicious cycle of violence and food insecurity, only made worse by the rampant rise in fuel prices which in turn have had ripple effects on the price of basic staples. Gang violence has also strained aid operations, and humanitarian agencies are struggling to tackle the deepening food crisis.
“The mental stress of being surrounded by violence, the uncertainty for the future, and the continued attacks on civilians have been putting a strain on our staff. However, how we best cope with stress in Haiti is to get to work” says Yolette Etienne. Malteser International Americas’ staff has continued to stalwartly run program operations in Haiti, striving for a better tomorrow despite the challenges of today. Our current focus has been on strengthening food security and climate change adaptation, building local expertise in sustainable agriculture for more resilient communities. “Focusing on continuing support for fellow Haitians in need and being able to make a difference in times of crisis is a huge motivating factor for our field team.”
The scale of the violence, the paralysis of urban areas and rising malnutrition will leave a permanent mark for a generation. “While everybody has mobilized in solidarity with Ukraine and its refugees, few people have been drawn to Haiti in times of crisis.” explains Yolette. “News coverage that depicts our country as a destitute center of violence has the opposite effect of marginalizing us even further from the global arena. Haiti needs to be at the forefront of the international relations dialogue, and the international community needs to find a solution to the current crisis. This gruesome violence needs to cease.”
Malteser International Americas is an affiliate of Malteser International and is the worldwide relief and development organization of the Sovereign Order of Malta. The organization provides aid to people in need in around 125 projects in 30 countries, regardless of their religion, origin or political convictions. Catholic values and the humanitarian principles form the basis of its work. Further information: www.orderofmaltarelief.org
Attention editors:
Yolette Etienne, Project Coordinator in Haiti/ yolette.etienne@malteser-international.org
Ravi Tripptrap, Executive Director/ ravi.tripptrap@malteser-international.org are available for interviews and sound bites.
Press Contact: : Ilaria Ghelardoni, Communications and Marketing Manager / ilaria.ghelardoni@malteser-international.org
Keyword: “Haiti”
